Dynamic Control Containment Unit

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a dynamic control containment unit for holding a plurality of discrete items, including a signal emitting mechanism associated with each of the plurality of discrete items, an enclosed housing having at least one receptacle accessible by a user and having at least one of the plurality of items contained therein, a passive signal receiving mechanism in communication with the receptacle for receiving signals emanating from the signal emitting mechanism and a securement system configured to prevent unauthorized access to the dynamic control containment unit. A controller is in communication with the signal receiving mechanism and initiates actions based upon the signal content.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 10/209,348, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/344,920, filed Dec. 21, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to control containment systemsand apparatus, containing multiple and discrete items and, inparticular, to a radio frequency identification system for securelytracking items.

2. Description of Related Art

In many industrial and service applications, multiple items must betracked for a variety of reasons. For example, these items may betracked so that the user knows when additional items should be obtainedor ordered, who is using the items and for what purpose, and forexpensive items, a secure tracking system is required. Whether forsecurity purposes or inventory purposes, an identification system mustbe developed in order to accurately track and manage a large amount ofitems, typically discrete and small items.

Health care delivery institutions, like hospitals, have a large amountof inventory to control throughout their system. Thousands of items movein and out of supply and operating rooms every day, and the systemadministrators must be sure to know exactly what items are being used,when they are being used, who is using them, and how often. At alltimes, items must be accounted for, and must be fully stocked.

Currently, most hospitals maintain and control their inventory manuallyby recording it on paper. Items are often ordered on an as-needed basis,as the inventory becomes low. The hospital's materials managementdepartment usually must go through the various peripheral supply roomsat the hospital, visually taking note and recording on paper theinventory status of supplies. A purchase order is then sent to thehospital's distributors, requesting more of an item that is low insupply. When the ordered items are received at the hospital's centralsupply, a materials management person must manually go through andcompare every item received versus the packing list. Next, theperipheral supply rooms are restocked with the ordered items from thecentral supply room.

When an item is used during an operation, the nurse or clinician usuallyremoves it from the central or peripheral supply room and records itsuse on paper. Typically, there is little accountability as to what hasbeen taken, who took it, and how many they took. The current method ofmaintaining and controlling inventory is both labor intensive andimprecise. In many instances, a nurse must manually record every itemthat is being used. The information is only as accurate as to what hasbeen recorded. During busy times, the information garnered is inaccurateor the entire process is sometimes skipped.

In order to effectively track items, supply cabinets have beendeveloped, which provide inventory, accountability, and security ofsupplies, e.g., medical supplies. The prior art cabinets utilize manualinput systems. To gain access to a cabinet, the user must keypunch on akeyboard their access information, such as a PIN number. A door to thecabinet is unlocked once the internal computer accepts the accessinformation. The supply items are separated into bins by type, and as auser takes out an item, they must also push a button, indicating thatthey have taken out that item. This action of manual input causes thesystem to decrement the item from inventory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dynamic controlcontainment unit for holding a plurality of discrete items, whichovercomes the deficiencies of the prior art. It is another object of thepresent invention to provide a control containment unit that is capableof securely tracking multiple items, which are added to and removed fromthe unit from various dynamic, non-predetermined locations. It is yetanother object of the present invention to provide a control containmentunit that is capable of accurately inventorying its entire contents, aswell as the contents of any individual receptacle.

The present invention is a dynamic control containment unit for holdinga plurality of discrete items, and includes a signal emitting mechanismassociated with each of the plurality of discrete items. An enclosedhousing, having at least one receptacle accessible by a user, isincluded, and each receptacle has a plurality of items containedtherein. A passive signal receiving mechanism is in communication withthe receptacle and receives signals emitted from the signal emittingmechanism. A controller is in communication with the signal receivermechanism and is able to initiate actions based upon the signal content.The control containment unit also includes a securement system forpreventing access to the unit. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacleis a drawer, which is slidable with respect to the housing, such thatthe receptacle may be slid open, thereby providing access to the itemscontained in the receptacle. The controller is used to track and managethe inventory contained in the unit. In another preferred embodiment,the receptacle is a shelf, which is recessed within the controlcontainment unit and covered by a door.

The present invention, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with the additional objects and advantages thereof,will best be understood from the following description of exemplaryembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a dynamiccontrol containment unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of another embodiment of adynamic control containment unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a logic table illustrating a preferred logic sequence used inoperating the dynamic control containment unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an input/output data table associated with a controller in thedynamic control containment unit of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a further preferred embodiment of adynamic control containment unit according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a dynamic control containment unit 10 forholding multiple, discrete items 12 and is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.Each of the items 12 has a signal emitting mechanism 14 associated withit. The control containment unit includes a housing 16 having multiplereceptacles 18, which are accessible to a user. The items 12 and theirassociated signal emitting mechanisms 14 are contained in the receptacle18. The control containment unit is dynamic, in that the items 12 can beplaced in any position in any receptacle 18. Therefore, the items 12 donot have to be placed in predetermined locations or receptacles 18, suchas assigned bins or the like.

A passive signal receiving mechanism 20 is in communication with thereceptacles 18 and receives signals 22 emanating from the signalemitting mechanisms 14. A controller 24 is in communication with thesignal receiving mechanism 20 and is able to initiate various actionsbased upon the content of the signals 22 received by the signalreceiving mechanism 20. The receptacle 18 could be a drawer, a shelf, abox, a container, etc. Further, the items 12 could be objects, supplies,assets, instruments, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle 18 is a drawer 26. This drawer26 is slidable with respect to the housing 16, such that it may be slidopen and provide access to the items 12 contained therein. In thispreferred embodiment, the signal emitting mechanisms 14 are radiofrequency identification (RF/ID) transponders 28. Each of these RF/IDtransponders 28 are attached to or associated with an individual item12. Further, each of these RF/ID transponders 28 emit a signal 22, whichis unique to the item 12 to which the RF/ID transponder 28 is attachedto or associated with. After the RF/ID transponder 28 has been attachedor associated with the item 12, it is placed in the receptacle 18 ordrawer 26. While the preferred embodiment illustrates threeitem-containing drawers, any number of drawers 26 may be utilized, andthe number of drawers 26 would not effect the functionality of thecontrol containment unit 10.

In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the signalreceiving mechanism 20 is an antenna 30, which is capable of receivingthe radio frequency signals 22 emanating from the RF/ID transponders 28.While a single antenna 30 may be placed underneath the drawer 26, asillustrated in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, two antennas 30 areused, one antenna 30 immediately above the drawer 26, and one antenna 30immediately below the drawer 26. This allows for greater accuracy inreceiving the signals 22 from the signal emitting mechanisms 14 or RF/IDtransponders 28. When the drawer 26 is in the closed position, the items12 (and subsequently the RF/ID transponders 28) are positioned in thecontrol containment unit 10, such that they are located in the antenna30 field. The RF/ID transponders 28 are energized by the antenna fieldand emit a radio frequency signal 22 corresponding to its uniqueidentification, typically an identification number. The signals 22 arepicked up by the antenna 30 and communicated to the controller 24. Whilethe signals 22 emanating from the signal emitting mechanisms 20typically have a characteristic unique to a specific item 12, it is alsoenvisioned that the signal emitting mechanisms 20 may emit signals 22unique to a group, set, or other association of multiple items 12. Inaddition, in this preferred embodiment, the two antennas 30 arepositioned, such that they are dedicated to receiving signals 22emanating from an assigned receptacle 18 or drawer 26. This arrangementallows the signal receiving mechanism 20 to passively receive thesignals 22, as opposed to necessitating the specific movement of an item12 across a stationary reading device.

The controller 24 is in communication with a tuning mechanism 32. Thistuning mechanism 32 is used to set a frequency parameter of the signalreceiving method 20 or antenna 30. The receptacle 18 or drawer 26 couldalso have an associated indicator light (not shown), possibly on itsoutside surface, to indicate exactly which receptacle 18 the user hasaccess to.

In the preferred embodiment the controller 24 includes a multiplexormechanism 34, which is in communication with the signal receivingmechanism 20 or antenna 30 and provides an output signal correspondingto the signal 22 received by the signal receiving mechanism 20. Themultiplexor mechanism 34 is also in communication with a signal readermechanism 36. This signal reader mechanism provides an output signalcorresponding to the signal received by the multiplexor mechanism 34.

An input/output mechanism 38 is in communication with the multiplexormechanism 34 and/or the signal reader mechanism 36 and translates outputsignals into digital output signals. A central control device 40 is incommunication with the input/output mechanism 38 and receives,processes, and transmits signals, as well as initiates actions, basedupon the digital output signals received from the input/output mechanism38.

The signals 22 received by the antennas 30 are sent through themultiplexor mechanism 34 to the signal reader mechanism 36, which is aninternally-located RF/ID reader. The multiplexor mechanism 34 collectssignals from more than one antenna 30 and communicates with a singlesignal reader mechanism 36. In addition, the multiplexor mechanism 34allows each antenna 30 to be uniquely addressable and subsequentlyindividually control by the controller 24. The signal reader mechanism36 decodes the signal, and communicates this decoded signal to thecentral control device 40 via the input/output mechanism 38. Next, thecentral control device 40 identifies the signals 22, associates thesignals 22 with the correct items 12 and logs the identification of theitems 12 into an inventory database, maintained on the central controldevice 40.

The controller 24 also includes a power control module 42, which is incommunication with the input/output mechanism 38. This power controlmodule 42 provides specified power outputs at specified power levels tothe various components of the controller 24. Further, the power controlmodule 42 may be operated or activated by a single power switch 44.Therefore, a user need only operate a single power switch 44 to powerall the various components of the controller 24 and the controlcontainment unit 10. The control containment unit 10 may also include abackup power module 46 in communication with the input/output mechanism38 in order to supply power in the event of an electronic power failure.

The central control device 40 may be a programmable microchip, amicrocontroller, a personal computer, a hand-held computer, a terminal,a network computing device, etc. When used in a network relationship,the central control device 40 communicates with a network 48, whichwould allow a user or system administrator to administrate, control andmanage multiple control containment units 10 throughout a building.

In the preferred embodiment, the control containment unit 10 includes aswitch mechanism 50, which is in operable communication with thereceptacle 18 or drawer 26. As a user is opening a particular drawer 26,the switch mechanism 50 moves to an open position, and indicates to thecentral control device 40 via the input/output mechanism 38, that it hasbeen opened. The central control device 40, or software containedthereon, sends signals to the multiplexor mechanism 34, commanding it tobegin reading input from the antennas 30 associated with the particulardrawer 26 that has been opened. By comparing the inventory of the drawer26 before and after it was opened, the central control device 40 mayidentify items 12 removed from the drawer 26. The control containmentunit 10 includes a display mechanism 52 in communication with thecentral control device 40 for providing a visual display to a user. Itis envisioned that various information may be displayed to the user,whether in graphical or textual format, on the display mechanism 52. Forexample, the display mechanism 52 may display an action initiated by thecentral control device 40, a use history, an item 12 history, a userhistory, user data, item 12 data, inventory data, receptacle 18 ordrawer 26 data, control containment unit 10 data, a receptacle 18 ordrawer 26 inventory, a control containment unit 10 inventory, etc. In apreferred embodiment, the display mechanism 52 is located on the housing16 at an area easily viewable by a user. However, the display mechanism52 may be a monitor positioned on or adjacent the control containmentunit 10.

The control containment unit 10 also may include a printer mechanism 54,which is in communication with the central control device 40, forproviding visual printouts corresponding to the information processed bythe central control device 40. For example, any of the informationdiscussed above in connection with the display mechanism 52 may also beprinted out in a physical format by the printer mechanism 54.

The control containment unit 10 also has an input mechanism 56 incommunication with the central control device 40 and capable ofreceiving user input and transmitting user input signals to the centralcontrol device 40. The input mechanism 56 may be a keypad, a touchdisplay, a personal computing device, a hand-held computing device, amagnetic reading device, a radio frequency identification readingdevice, a bar code reading device, a light pen, a keyboard, a mouse, aterminal, voice activation/verification, biometric readers, etc. In thepreferred embodiment, the input mechanism 56 is positioned adjacent ornear the display mechanism 52, thereby allowing a user to visually seehis or her input as the input mechanism 56 receives the data. As withthe display mechanism 52, the input mechanism 56 is positioned at aconvenient area, easily accessible by many users. The input mechanism 56may also be in communication with an antenna 30, which would allow auser to provide initial radio frequency identification signals for eachitem 12 to the central control device 40.

In the preferred embodiment, each antenna 30, which receives the radiofrequency signals 22 emanating from the signal emitting mechanism 20 orthe RF/ID transponders 28 is positioned adjacent the drawer 26 by acentral panel element 58. As seen in FIG. 2, the antenna 30 is restedupon the central panel element 58 when used in connection with thebottom antenna 30, and is attached to the central panel element 58 whenused in connection with the top antenna 30. On a side opposite theantenna 30 of the central panel element 58, a shielding element 60 isattached. The shielding element 60 prevents signals from passingtherethrough. This prevents items 12 in other drawers 26 located aboveor below the object drawer 26 from being read during the readingprocess. This will prevent confusion by the central control device 40and isolation of each individual drawer 26. Not only may each drawer 26have shielding element 60 associated with it, the control containmentunit 10, and specifically the housing 16, may also include a shieldingelement 60. This would ensure that signals emanating from all of thedrawers 26 would not pass through the housing 16 of the controlcontainment unit 10.

The control containment unit 10 includes a lock mechanism 62, associatedwith each drawer 26. These lock mechanisms 62 are in communication withthe central control device 40 via the input/output mechanism 38 andserve to prevent access to the drawer 26 based upon action signals sentby central control device 40. In the preferred embodiment, the lockmechanism 62 are magnetic locks 64, which based upon signals receivedfrom the central control device 40, may activate and attract a portionof the drawer 26. This would prevent the drawer 26 from sliding andproviding access to an unauthorized user. It is this lock mechanism 62,together with the user authorization and control system, that create asecurement system. The securement system, therefore, prevents anyunauthorized access to the control containment unit 10. It is alsoenvisioned that a physical master key is provided and capable ofallowing authorized access to the control containment unit 10 during apower outage or other emergency situation.

The signal emitting mechanism 14, in the form of an RF/ID transponder28, may be a tag or label affixed to each item 12. As discussed above,this tag or label would emit a unique signal corresponding to theidentity of the item 12. In order to provide initial input to thecentral control device 40 of the item 12 identity, the input mechanism56 may include a recognition signal receiver 66 in communication withthe central control device 40. This recognition signal receiver 66 mayreceive initial input signals corresponding to the identity of the items12. As seen in FIG. 2, in another embodiment, the recognition signalreceiver 66 is an antenna 30 located on the control containment unit 10.This antenna 30 would serve two purposes. First, this antenna 30increases utility administration. As the RF/ID transponder 28 is affixedto an item 12, the RF/ID transponder 28 is read and its uniqueidentification must be associated with that particular item 12. Thiswill allow the item 12 to be identified later when the RF/ID transponder28 is read in the drawers 26.

The second purpose of this antenna 30 is to allow selective access tothe control containment unit 10 and its drawers 26 as part of thesecurement system. Depending upon the configuration of the controlcontainment unit 10, a user may have an identification badge, alsoaffixed with an RF/ID tag, which they may wave over the antenna 30, therecognition signal receiver 66 and/or the input mechanism 56. As aunique identification of the RF/ID tag is read, the central controldevice 40 identifies the tag user with a list of those who have accessto the control containment unit 10 or the specific drawer 26. If thereis a match, the central control device 40 sends a signal to the lockmechanism 62 via the input/output mechanism 38 in a relay to unlock allof the drawers 26 or a specific drawer 26.

All of the display mechanism 52, input mechanism 56, central controldevice 40, input/output mechanism 38, signal reader mechanism 36,multiplexor mechanism 34 and power control module 42 are housed withinthe control containment unit 10 and, in a preferred embodiment, in a topslidable drawer 26. This would allow a user access to the components forprogramming, repair and maintenance.

The control containment unit 10 may also include an associated personalcomputing device 68 associated with the central control device 40 or inplace of the central control device 40. In addition, the personalcomputing device 68 may have a personal computing device input mechanism70 for providing data input into the personal computing device 68. Thispersonal computing device 68 would allow a user or administrator tointeract with software on the personal computing device 68 forcontrolling the control containment unit 10 or directly with the centralcontrol device 40 in the drawer 26 of the control containment unit 10.Further, this personal computing device 68 may have functionality, suchthat it can program, modify, maintain and otherwise control the centralcontrol device 40 in the control containment unit 10. Further, in orderto provide easy movement of a specific control containment unit 10 to adifferent area in a building, the control containment unit 10 may havewheels 72 attached to the housing 16 for easy movement.

FIG. 3 details a logic table and sequences for different conditions,together with what is transmitted and written through the input/outputmechanism 38 and read from the input/output mechanism 38. FIG. 4 is ininput/output data table for describing the conditions and what inputdata and output data are provided in communications in the controller24.

In a further preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the controlcontainment unit 10 and, in particular, the housing 16, may take theform of a cabinet with multiple access points. In this embodiment, thereceptacle 18 is a shelf and, as described above, each shelf would haveone or more antennas 30 for receiving signals 22 from the signalemitting mechanisms 14 attached to the items 12. However, as thereceptacles 18 are not drawers, as in the previous embodiment, a door 74or other cover is used to prevent and/or control access to thereceptacles 18. It is envisioned that the door would have a handle 76 toallow a user to open the door 74.

As seen in FIG. 5, the control containment unit 10 has multiple doors74, with each door 74 covering multiple receptacles 18 in the form ofshelving. Upon accessing or opening a door 74, the signal receivingmechanism 20 would be activated in order to read the signals 22 emittedfrom the signal emitting mechanism 14 on the items 12. After the door 74is closed, again the signal receiving mechanism 20 would receive signals22 from the signal emitting mechanism 14 on the items 12 in order todetermine what items 12 have been taken from the receptacle 18.

As discussed above, the securement system ensures that a user would needto gain authorization from the control containment unit 10 in order togain access to one or more of the receptacles 18 behind the door 74.Users could be grouped in access levels or authorization levels. Inorder to further enhance security, the doors 74 may have an automaticclosing device, which would shut and open a door 74 after a certainperiod of time elapses. In addition, the doors 74 could have an urgingmechanism, which would simply urge the door 74 in a closed position whenreleased. In this embodiment, it is the door 74 that would have anassociated lock mechanism 62, for preventing access, as opposed to eachindividual drawer 26 described above in connection with the previousembodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates this preferred embodiment with one of the doors 74removed, as well as a door 74 covering the controller 24 also removed.In this embodiment, and due to the number of signal receiving mechanisms20 (or antennas 30), multiple multiplexor mechanisms 34 could beutilized. For example, for each row or column of receptacles 18 orgroups of receptacles 18, a single multiplexor mechanism 34 could beused. This would increase the speed and control of signal 22 andinformation processing. If multiple multiplexor mechanisms 34 are used,each of these multiplexor mechanisms 34 would be in communication with amain or central multiplexor mechanism 34, which would operate asdescribed hereinabove in connection with the previous embodiment.

It is also envisioned that the control containment unit 10 describedabove could take the form of a room. In this case, a user would need togain access to the room, and possibly only certain portions of the room,and would remove items 12 from receptacles 18 (such as shelving) placedthroughout the room. In essence, the room would function as a giantcabinet or control containment unit 10 described hereinabove. Obviously,whether in the form of a cabinet or a room, the control containment unit10 would preferably have one, and typically multiple, shielding elements60 to prevent emanation of signals 22 from exiting the area.

EXAMPLE

The present invention is particularly useful in the field of medicine,and, in particular, at hospitals. In a hospital application, the items12 are typically medical items, such as containers of medicine, medicaldevices, etc. A specific example of the use of the control containmentunit 10 in connection with a hospital follows.

Items 12 are received from a distributor or manufacturer at thehospital's central supply room, with the RF/ID transponder 28, in theform of a tag or label, already affixed to the item 12, using a settag-to-item association scheme. If the item 12 arrives with no RF/IDtransponder 28 attached, hospital employees can affix the RF/IDtransponder 28 themselves and perform the tag-to-item association usingthe input mechanism 56 or recognition signal receiver 66 located on thehousing 16. The employee then waves his or her RF/ID badge over theinput mechanism 56 or recognition signal receiver 66, thereby causingthe drawers 26 of the control containment unit 10 to open. The items 12are then placed inside the drawers 26 and closed. As soon as the drawers26 are closed, the controller 24 performs a comparison between theinventories of the drawer 26 before and after it was opened to determinewho placed what items inside. The inventorying is done automatically bythe central control device 40.

During operational use, nurses or clinicians wave their RF/ID badge overthe input mechanism 56 or recognition signal receiver 66, therebyunlocking the control containment unit 10. They may then open thedrawers 26 to which they have authorized access and take whatever items12 they need. There is no need for nurses or clinicians to keypunch anaccess code or press a button to indicate that they have taken an item12. As soon as the drawers 26 are closed, items 12 removed from thedrawers 26 are automatically associated with the person who just openedthe drawer 26. The controller 24 or central control device 40 thensubtracts the items 12 from the inventory.

During idle periods, the controller 24 performs inventories at setintervals. If a particular item 12 inventory is below a set par level,the controller 24 may send a message to the hospital's billing andpurchasing system to purchase more of that particular item 12 over thenetwork 28.

In this manner, the present invention provides a control containmentunit 10, such as a cabinet, utilizing RF/ID technologies to dispensesupplies with security and accountability, without the need for any dataentry. The present invention has many advantages over existing devicesand methods for controlling inventory. The first advantage is itssecurity and accountability features, as compared to current systems.The controller 24 or controller software not only provide access to aset group of people, but knows exactly what they have taken. Prior artpaper-based systems typically have minimal or no security involved, orare difficult to implement. Although prior art solutions provide somesecurity, the user must “keypunch” in their access code. Also, prior artsolutions do not provide “real” inventory levels, instead providing a“calculated” virtual inventory level, based upon actions, such aspushing a button. If the user takes out two items 12, but only pushesthe button for one, there is no way to detect this error. The presentinvention performs a “true” inventory of the control containment unit10.

Another advantage of the present invention is reduction in errorsinvolved in performing inventory. With paper-based systems, theinformation is only as good as the writer's accuracy. If nurses orclinicians are busy, the inventory information can often be erroneous.As mentioned above, the push-button system can also have these errors.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is the speed to performinventory and to place items 12 into inventory. A user can perform a“true” inventory of all the items 12 in the cabinet in a matter ofseconds, instead of hours using the paper-based system. An item 12 canbe placed into inventory by simply putting it inside the drawers 26.Since no manual data entry is required, the labor savings can betremendous.

Another advantage is the true real-time and dynamic inventorycapability. The controller 24 or software control system can be set toperform inventory at regular intervals, down to the second. Anotheradvantage is that par levels can be maintained with this invention. Assoon as the control containment unit 10 detects a low supply of acertain item 12 in a drawer 26, alerts or messages can be sent to thehospital purchasing system or to a system administrator. The presentinvention also provides for the auto return of items 12. If a user takesout two items 12 but only uses one, the item 12 can be put intoinventory by simply placing it back into the drawer 26. There is no dataentry required. The controller 24 automatically detects who returnedwhat item 12 back into which drawer 26.

This invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to othersupon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It isintended that the invention be construed as including all suchmodifications and alterations.

1-34. (canceled)
 35. An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFIDtag, the cabinet comprising: a cabinet comprising a back, a first side,a second side, a top, a bottom and at least one locking front door; anRFID detector for monitoring each item contained within the cabinet andfor identifying data embedded on an RFID tag located on at least some ofthe items placed within the cabinet, the RFID detector located withinthe interior of the RFID cabinet; and a computer coupled to the RFIDcabinet, wherein the computer controls opening and closing of thelocking front door, wherein the computer is configured to receive aninput that identifies a user, and wherein the computer is configured toperiodically record data read from all of the RFID tags in the cabinetby the RFID detector.
 36. The RFID cabinet of claim 35, wherein cabinetis manufactured of a material that confines an RFID field produced bythe RFID detector within the interior of the RFID cabinet.
 37. RFIDcabinet of claim 35, wherein the RFID detector scans each item containedwithin the cabinet in a time period, such that the RFID cabinet maydetermine if an item is removed from the interior of the RFID cabinet.38. The RFID cabinet of claim 35, wherein the input that identifies auser is chosen from a group comprising a user ID, an RFID badge, a barcode, voice recognition, a mag card, or biometrics.
 39. The RFID cabinetof claim 35, wherein the RFID detector is coupled to a network, eitherdirectly or through the computer, wherein a user can connect to thereader or a database in the computer and get an inventory of each itemsplaced within the cabinet.
 40. The RFID cabinet of claim 39, wherein thecabinet is remote from the computer, and wherein software enables theRFID detecting device to scan items in the remote cabinet and to alertan administrator if any items are critically low or stocked out.
 41. TheRFID cabinet of claim 35, wherein a means for accessing the RFID cabinetcomprises an RFID badge, wherein the locking front door of the RFIDcabinet opens in response to the RFID badge coming into a closeproximity of the RFID cabinet.
 42. The RFID cabinet of claim 35, whereinthe cabinet is made of a material that provides a shield sufficient toallow a strong enough field within the cabinet such that all items canbe read using the RFID detector.
 43. A method for removing items havingan RFID tag from an RFID cabinet, the method comprising: providing acabinet having an RFID detector for monitoring each item containedwithin the cabinet and for identifying data embedded on an RFID taglocated on each item contained within the cabinet, the RFID detectorlocated within the interior of the RFID cabinet and a computer coupledto the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls opening and closingof the locking front door; reading an input that identifies a user;receiving the input that identifies a user at the computer; unlockingthe door to the RFID cabinet if the user is allowed access; andperiodically scanning all the items in the RFID cabinet to determine ifany items have been removed by the user.
 44. A method for scanning itemshaving an RFID tag in an RFID cabinet, the method comprising: providinga cabinet having an RFID detector for monitoring each item containedwithin the cabinet and for identifying data embedded on an RFID taglocated on each item contained within the cabinet, the RFID detectorlocated within the interior of the RFID cabinet and a computer coupledto the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls opening and closingof the locking front door, and wherein the computer is configured toreceive an input that identifies a user allows access to the RFIDcabinet; reading the RFID tag associated with an item using an RFIDfield from the RFID detector; and recording the resulting information ina database located within the memory of the computer.
 45. The method ofclaim 44, wherein the computer comprises a memory, the method furthercomprising sounding an alert if certain conditions programmed within thememory of the computer are satisfied.
 46. A storage system comprising: acabinet for containing an item of inventory, the item of inventorycomprising an RFID tag, each RFID tag comprising data used to identifythe item on which it is located; an RFID reader contained within thecabinet; a computer coupled to the cabinet, the computer configured toperiodically 1) cause the RFID reader to read the data from all of theRFID tags in the cabinet and report the data to the computer, and 2)record the data from all of the RFID tags.
 47. The storage system ofclaim 46, wherein the computer is further configured to detect that anitem has been removed from the cabinet by comparing the data obtainedduring one reading with the data obtained during a previous reading. 48.The storage system of claim 46, further comprising a lockable door, thelocking and unlocking of the door under control of the computer, andwherein the computer is further configured to: receive an inputidentifying a user of the cabinet; unlock the door only when theidentified user is allowed access to the cabinet; and attribute theremoval of any item from the cabinet to the user.